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Rotorcraft Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Air Ambulance Pilot SPIFR EC145

Peru, IL · On-site

$93.12 - $117.79/hr

Meets and maintains qualifications of FAA Commercial Rotorcraft and FAA Instrument Rotorcraft Pilot. Age requirement: * Maximum age 70 years. Experience: * 2000 Hours Total time: * 1500 Hours ...

Expert level understanding of fixed-wing and rotorcraft aerodynamics, performance, and stability & control * Proven experience with gradient-based and gradient-free optimization techniques

Helicopter Line Pilot

Boulder City, NV · On-site

$90K - $112K/yr

Licenses and Certifications FAA Commercial Rotorcraft / Instrument Rotorcraft Technical Skills Basic computer skills required Requirements and Experience Must meet Commercial Part 135 and TOPS ...

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Rotorcraft information

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$26

$64

$86

How much do rotorcraft jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for rotorcraft in the United States is $64.33, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57.93 and $72.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a rotorcraft pilot?

To thrive as a Rotorcraft Pilot, you need strong piloting skills, aeronautical knowledge, and typically a commercial pilot license with specific rotorcraft ratings. Familiarity with flight planning software, avionics systems, and adherence to FAA regulations is essential. Excellent situational awareness, decision-making, and communication skills help pilots manage complex scenarios and coordinate with crews. These competencies are vital to ensure flight safety, regulatory compliance, and effective mission execution in dynamic environments.

What is a rotorcraft?

Rotorcraft are a category of aircraft that use large spinning blades, called rotors, to generate lift and enable flight. Unlike fixed-wing airplanes, rotorcraft can take off and land vertically, hover in place, and fly in any direction. The most common types of rotorcraft include helicopters, autogyros, and gyrodynes. These aircraft are widely used in various roles such as search and rescue, transportation, military operations, and aerial surveying due to their versatility and maneuverability.

What is the difference between Rotorcraft vs Helicopter Pilot?

AspectRotorcraftHelicopter Pilot
CertificationsFAA Rotorcraft Pilot CertificateFAA Helicopter Pilot Certificate
Work EnvironmentVarious rotorcraft including helicopters and gyrocoptersPrimarily helicopter operations
Industry UsageRescue, transport, agriculture, tourismTransport, emergency services, military

Rotorcraft is a broad category that includes all aircraft with rotating wings, such as helicopters and gyrocopters. A helicopter pilot is a specific type of rotorcraft pilot who operates helicopters. While all helicopter pilots are rotorcraft pilots, not all rotorcraft pilots are helicopter pilots. The main difference lies in the aircraft operated and the certifications required. Rotorcraft pilots may operate various rotorcraft types, whereas helicopter pilots focus solely on helicopters.

What types of teams and professionals do rotorcraft engineers typically collaborate with during the development process?

Rotorcraft engineers regularly work in multidisciplinary teams that include aerodynamics specialists, avionics engineers, structural analysts, and manufacturing experts. Collaboration with flight test crews, regulatory compliance officers, and maintenance teams is also common to ensure that the rotorcraft meets safety and performance standards throughout development. This teamwork fosters a dynamic work environment and provides valuable opportunities to broaden technical knowledge and communication skills. Effective coordination among these groups is essential for ensuring successful project delivery and ongoing innovation in rotorcraft design.
More about Rotorcraft jobs

What states have the most Rotorcraft jobs?

States with the most job openings for Rotorcraft jobs include:

Infographic showing various Rotorcraft job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,808 per year, or $64.3 per hour.

Aviation Safety Inspector (Rotorcraft-Helicopter)

Career Fields | Federal Aviation Administration

Spokane Valley, WA

$126K/yr

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

The Aviation Safety Inspector (Rotorcraft-Helicopter), Principal Operations Inspector (POI), functions as the primary interface between assigned air operators/agencies/airmen/designees and the Federal Aviation Administration. The inspector will have program responsibility to assure that assigned organizations meet Federal Aviation Regulations with respect to primarily helicopter operations programs.Qualifications:

FAA Specific Qualifications Guidance for 1825 Aviation Safety Inspectors - Rotorcraft-Helicopter

General Requirements for All Positions:

  1. Not more than two separate incidents involving Federal aviation regulations violations in the last 5 years;
  2. Valid State driver's license;
  3. Fluency in the English language;
  4. No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and
  5. High school diploma or equivalent

Medical Requirements for Rotorcraft-Helicopter: Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Aviation Safety Inspector position in a safe and efficient manner, with or without a reasonable accommodation. The minimum medical requirements include the following requirements:

  1. Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read, without strain, printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted);
  2. Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted);
  3. Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others that would interfere with their ability to fly as passengers in a variety of aircraft.

In addition, applicants for positions that require participation in the operation of aircraft must:

  1. Possess a valid second-class medical certificate in accordance with Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) regulations; and
  2. Pass recurrent medical examinations as prescribed by the FAA.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements, applicants must meet the specialized experience requirements as outlined below:

1. Must hold an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating or a Commercial Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating and Instrument-Helicopter rating.

2. Must hold a valid, unexpired Flight Instructor Certificate with Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating and Instrument Helicopter rating.

3. Minimum 1,500 total flight hours in an aircraft as pilot-in-command or second-in-command, 1,000 hours of which must be in helicopters.

4. Must have given a minimum of 200 hours of flight instruction in a helicopter.

5. Minimum 100 flight hours in helicopters as pilot-in-command or second-in-command or 100 hours as pilot in a Level D Simulator that replicates a helicopter, or any combination thereof, during the last five (5) years.

6. Not more than two (2) flying accidents in the last five (5) years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved.

Specialized experience is: Work involves monitoring and issuing certificates to a large complex aviation organization or a number of smaller organizations that, in total, are comparable in complexity to one large aviation organization. Work at this grade level/pay band is generally reviewed from an overall standpoint for accuracy, consistency, and effectiveness in meeting requirements

Additional Specialized Experience Requirement: You must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-H, FG/ GS-12 level. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience includes: Assisting, conducting, or performing various technical functions related to certification, surveillance, investigation, and enforcement activities of FAR Part 135 air carriers/air operators.

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA); listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or alphabetical and referred to the selecting official for consideration.

For Lateral Movements Between 1825 Specialties:

To assist in determining qualification requirements, applicants transferring between specialties at the same grade level are strongly encouraged to complete the appropriate Qualifications Assessment Tool (QAT) check sheet and upload it along with their resume. Check sheets are contained in Order 3410.26, Flight Standards Service Air Carrier and General Aviation Qualifications Assessment Tool for AFS Aviation Safety Inspectors. In addition, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations) positions will be required to demonstrate proficiency in an airplane or simulator.

The recency of specialized experience is waived for current FAA employees in the 1825 series.

Applicants should include examples of specialized experience in their work history.

Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job.

Education:

Education may not be substituted for experience.

Employment Type: OTHER